WWI BWM. Petrie. RAMC. Co author with Sir Alexander Flemming, vaccines and serums 1934.

Correctly named Capt GF Petrie

George Ford Petrie was born in Arbroath, Angus to Alexander and Barabara in 1874.

He started studying medicine in Edinburgh and then moved to Aberdeen where he graduated MB, ChB in 1898. Five years later he proceeded then to MD with the highest honours.

He studied pathology under Professor DJ Hamilton gaining the Brown Medal in practical pathology and then the silver medal in systematic pathology.

He became an assistant to a General Practitioner in Stocksbridge, Yorkshire but soon moved to laboratory life at the Lister Institute in Elstree, Chelsea in 1901.

After a year he was appointed assistant bacteriologist.

In 1905 he was appointed as a member of the Plague Commission in India under Sir Charles Martin and returned in 1907.

He visited India again, North China and Egypt as a part of the Plague Investigation Commission and wrote several papers on plague.

In 1914, he returned to Chelsea and was soon commissioned into the RAMC and worked as a bacteriologist at the King George V Hospital in London and later at the base depot in Boulogne.

After serving in France from November 1914 until November 1917 and then Italy until March 1919, he returned to the Lister Institute as a bacteriologist and became head of the department in 1926.

Petrie remained unmarried and was due to retire in 1939 but we see him head to New York aboard the SS Aquitania from Southampton. 

In 1941 he resumed charge of the Serum Department on War Service.

Apart from many of the epidemiological, bacterial and immunological for which he was wholly or partly responsible, Petrie collaborated with Sir Alexander Flemming on the book 'Recent Advances in Vaccine and Serum Therapies'

He published a total of 20 papers including books from 1905 through to 1953.

DW Henderson wrote in his obituary

'He had at least two qualities in one so completely devoted to science as he. The first was a profound respect for, and deep knowledge of the english language. This gave him a driving urge to imbue the young scientist who came under his direction with someof his enthusiasm. Many of us who have to edit scientific papers are at least now grateful for the memorable midnight hours of discussion on the best way of expressing it.

This led, I hope, to an indelible improvementin our approach to the compilationand presentation of scientific data.'

'The second oustanding attribute was a keen power of observation. 'By chance it did not lead to the fame of a Pasteur or a Flemming but in this quality he was in their company. Diffendence and a seemingly excessive caution might be regarded as amoung his worst enemies.'

He died in July 1955.

He is entitled to a 1914 Star Trio.

The Lister Institue of Preventive Medicine.

Contributing during two World Wars

The Lister Institute played a significant role in the treatment of the wounded during World War One through the production of tetanus antiserum, and was also responsible for identifying the bacteria causing gas gangrene. When the fighting ended, Lister researchers played a major part in defining the role of vitamins in the nutritional deficiency diseases that were widespread in Europe and elsewhere.

During the Second World War the Lister Institute contributed through the production of antisera and vaccines, and the provision of expertise in the field of nutrition.

It was not until the post-war period and the appointment in 1952 of Ashley Miles as Director that the Institute settled into the pattern that was maintained for the next quarter-century. During this period, the Institute continued to make important contributions to biomedical science through research into biochemistry, blood and blood products, microbiology, vaccines and antitoxins.